The Wallace. Monument.

pleted . The entire cost of the structure has somewhat exceeded £ 12 , 000 . The design of the monument is from the pencil of Mr . J . J . Rochead , architect , Glasgow . It consists of a Scottish baronial tower , two hundred and twenty feet

- high and thirty-six feet square . The walls are massive , being fifteen feet thick at the base , and graduating from five to six feet at the top . At the east end of the tower is a house for the keeper . An open court-yard , entered by a massive circular arched gateway having bold mouldings , separates the main building from the keeper ' s dwelling . Above the gateway are the heraldic arms of

Scotland . Passing through the gateway into a stone arched passage , a series of steps leads to an open octagonal winding staircase , projecting from the south-west angle of tbe tower , and running up nearly its entire height . Arrow-let slits or lights , pierce tho walls of the staircase at intervals , almost to the summitof the square tower ; and imitation ropework , with moulded angles

bind the walls externally . The staircase forms the approach to several spacious and lofty halls , designed for the display of armour and other antipuarian relics , illustrative of the early national history . An imperial crown forms the apex of the monument . This coronal top is upwards of fifty feet high , and is built of pure white sandstone . It comprises eight armsfrom the angles

, and sides , all converging on the centre , and forming a series of flying buttresses , broadly ribbed , having the spandrils filled in with open tracer } ' . Crocketted pinnacles surmount the outer flanks of the buttresses , and some very effective sky lines are obtained by the openings of the crown .

With reference to the site , it would nearly be impossible to find a position in all respects more suited for a national monument or better adapted for a memorial cairn to the Scottish hero . Abbey Craig is geographically in the centre of Scotland ; it is likewise the centre of the Scottish battle-ground for civil and religious liberty . It overlooks the field of Stirling Bridge , where Wallace

obtained his greatest victory ; and the monument will surmount the spot where he is believed to have stood while surveying the legions of the enemy crossing the bridge on their path to destruction . This spot—the highest point of the Craig—is 360 feet above the level of the Frith of Forth . Around is a scene of picturesque and ennobling character . A . plain of the richest variety

of landscape , and teeming with fertility , is guarded on the north and south by undulating hill ridges and pastoral heights , and bounded on the distant east and west by magnificent mountain ranges . AVestward the stupendous Grampians , crested by the lofty Ben Lomond , raise their majestic forms against the horizon . Eastward , the view terminates on the sloping hill of Cleish and Saline .

The scene beneath is strikingly enchanting . It has certainly never been contemplated by poet or painter without emotion . Every point is replete with interest . The most fastidious scenery-hunter would be gratified with such a combination of hill and dale , wood and water , ancient ruin and modern villa , landward culture and healthy sterility . On the west is Craiforthfoliage

g , clad , and standing forth in isolated majesty . A little to the north-west is the lofty brow of ancient Keir , celebrated by a poet , the seat of a poet , aud the most poetical in its decorations of all Scottish country seats . The bridge of Allen , just two miles distant , ensconced under the umbrageous shelter of the wooded Ochils , is a picture of cleanliness and comfort .

The undulating Ochil heights , ever beauteous and new , extend their picturesque masses far to the northeast . Immediately beneath the Craig , and on the sloping base of the Ochils , is Airthrey Castle , with its fine park and lake , once the seat of the noble Robert Haldane , now of the ennobled family of Abercromby . Villages fringe the base of Hhe Ochils , far as the eye can reach , and the silvery Forth glides serpent-like in the centre of the

The Wallace. Monument.

plain , having on both its banks a succession of elegant country seats . On a peninsula , formed by the river , stands the hoary tower of Cambus Kenneth , rejoicing in its seven centuries of age . Southward a few miles are seen tho Gillies' -bill and the district of Bannockbnrn . The associations of the place surpass even the glories

of the prospect . Around is the conflict ground of Caledonian freedom , while the Craig seems a high altar reared by Nature ' s hand , and consecrated a memorial of the nation's victories . In Airthrey Park was fought the engagement which gave the Scots supremacy over the ancient Picts .

On the Craig ' s summit might have been heard the shout of victory raised by the army of Bruce after the glorious achievement at Bannockbnrn . At Sheriffmuir , on the north , one bloody day terminated the first attempt of the house of Stuart to regain possession of a throne forfeited by crime . Stirling and its castle are fraught with reminiscencies of stirring deeds . Every spot on

the plain has been the scene of contention , and the present beauty of the prospect is , doubtless , enhanced by the thought of the carnage which once imparted to this lovely district the aspect of desolation .

The founder of the monument , tbe Rev . Dr . Charles Rogers , of Lewisham , formerly of Stirling , is a lineal descendant of the " gallant Graham , " one of whom fell at Falkirk , deeply lamented by the Scottish Chief , and desc-ibed by him on a tombstone in Falkirk churchyard as " Merite manuque potems . " In very early life Dr . Rogers conceived the idea of commemorating AVallace

by a monument , and persevered in his intention till he induced the late Lord Elgin to nreside at a great public meeting at Stirling , in 1856 . The history of the monument has often since been beclouded in controversy , in which the petty rivalry of the Scottish borough was not unfrequently conspicuous . But the Doctor has maintained the even tenor of his way , " through good report

aud bad report , " till the monument has at length been worthily completed . By his individual efforts he raised about £ 7 , 000 , and the entire amount of the Monument Fund was doubtless procured iu return for the seed sown by him . For six years Dr . Rogers abandoned his literary avocations , devoting his whole spare time to the undertaking . In its interests he visited the principal

English counties , and held public meetings in the more important towns of Scotland . He also contemplated a mission to the United States . All this Dr . Rogers did while his official income as a Chaplain to the Forces did not exceed £ 200 a-year , and while a party was unceasingly endeavouring to persuade the War Secretary that the Military Chaplain at Stirling was "too secular " for

his calling . For his services as Secretary of two Committees during six years he received somewhat under £ 260 , while he expended considerably beyond that amount in the promotion of the cause .

Poetry.

Poetry .

BEFORE THE THRONE IN PRAYER . By Mrs . L . A . CZARXECKI . AVhen tho heart is throbbing AVith bittor , weary pain , Visions of hope dispelled

, Ancl friendship falso and vain : Then it will find a solaco , Though burdened sore with care , Whon meek and lowly bent Beforo the tlirouo iu prayer .